This edition featured an international competition programme with 12 films, continuing the festival's tradition of celebrating diverse cinematic expressions of love.
The festival supported by the Bulgarian National Film Centre, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Varna Municipality is dedicated to showcasing films that explore the theme of love, offering a platform for filmmakers from around the world to present their work.
Over the years, the festival has attracted notable guests from the film industry, including directors and actors such as Otar Iosseliani, Georgiy Daneliya, Krzysztof Zanussi and Charlotte Sieling.
WINNERS:
Grand Prix Golden Aphrodite:
Adios Buenos Aires (Argentina, Germany)
Directed by German Kral
Special Award of the Jury:
My Favorite Cake (Iran, France, Sweden, Germany)
Directed by Behtash Sanaeeha, Maryam Moghaddam
Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers Award:
The Master and Margarita (Russia)
Directed by Michael Lockshin
Best Male Leading Role Award:
László Szacsvay in Some Birds (Hungary)
Directed by Daniel Hever
Produced by Filmfabriq, 235
Coproduced by Sparks
Supported by the Incubator Programme of the National Film Institute – Hungary
Best Female Leading Role Award:
Liv Lisa Fries in From Hilde, with Love (Germany)
Directed by Andreas Dresen